Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson’s nonprofit operating in the dark

Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson speaks to the crowd at his first “Christmas in the Capital City” event sponsored by his nonprofit, Moving Trenton Together, on Saturday, December 20, 2014.
SCOTT KETTERER — THE TRENTONIAN

TRENTON >> “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard and, most recently, Johnny Gill, of New Edition, performed in the capital city.

The artists were brought to Trenton by Mayor Eric Jackson and sang at “Christmas in the Capital City” concerts sponsored by the mayor’s nonprofit, Moving Trenton Together.

But since the 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 2014, Jackson has not filed a tax return for Moving Trenton Together, raising concerns about where the money is coming from to organize the free events and bring in the big-name talent.

During a phone interview with The Trentonian on Tuesday, Jackson claimed the tax return — called a Form 990 — was submitted last year.

Advertisement

“It’s not an annual, but I think it was done last year,” the mayor said. “I think we did one at the end of last year if I’m not mistaken, but I’ll check. I’m almost sure we did because I remember the name of the form. I’ll let you know.”

However, the mayor never returned a request for comment about the information on Wednesday, despite letting the newspaper know he would respond late Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

The mayor organized his first Christmas show in December 2014, which means the nonprofit should have tax returns on file for 2014 and 2015.

Completed Form 990s for nonprofits are found online at guidestar.org.

The mayor’s nonprofit appears in a search on the website, but no Form 990s for Moving Trenton Together exist. The mayor’s home on Melrose Avenue is the address listed for the nonprofit.

The Trentonian also submitted a request for the nonprofit’s tax returns with the IRS in December 2015.

In a Dec. 29, 2015 written response by an IRS department manager, The Trentonian was told the tax returns were “unavailable.”

The mayor faces some stiff penalties if he is filing late.

According to information on the IRS website, a nonprofit filing late can be charged “$20 per day for each day the return is late” and face a maximum penalty of $10,000. If a nonprofit fails to file a Form 990 for three consecutive years, it will “automatically lose its tax-exempt status,” the IRS states.

Starting a nonprofit has been a pitfall for some politicians, most notably South Philly politician Vincent Fumo.

The disgraced former Pennsylvania state senator was found guilty and served jail time for transferring money from nonprofit to his political campaign. His nonprofit also received a $17 million donation from PECO, in exchange for Fumo’s support on utility deregulation.

In a story about the formation of his nonprofit, Jackson was adamant nothing like that would occur with Moving Trenton Together.

“For those who we’re asking now to help and donate for this cause, they will see where their money is going to,” Jackson said in December 2014, adding he is not building a war chest. “It’s going to go back into the community is what my vision is to help move this city forward by doing it together.”

Under IRS rules, nonprofits are prohibited from engaging in any political campaign.

Jackson previously said he formed the nonprofit to unify the community and host events the city would not be on the hook for financially.

“I want to build up money specific toward being a benefit to this community,” Jackson said in December 2014. “Hopefully, over a sustained period of time people will see their direct dollars going to work to benefit young folks, families and seniors.”

Jackson has collected donations at the door for his “Christmas in the Capital City,” with a portion of the proceeds benefiting various city nonprofits, such as Trenton YMCA, HomeFront and Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. The events have been held at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial.

The last bash took place this past Saturday featuring New Edition’s Johnny Gill as the main attraction. Unlike 2015’s Christmas show that brought “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard to Trenton, the mayor did not reach out to the press for publicity of this year’s shindig.

The mayor’s nonprofit has also hosted a “Christmas Soiree” the past couple years. This year’s event was held at Rho Waterfront Night Club on Dec. 2 with attendees ponying up $60 per person.

Mayoral aide Andrew Bobbitt was listed as a ticket contact for the extravaganza, a poster for the event shows.

The tax return issue would not be the first time that Jackson has failed to submit required documentation in a timely manner.

Jackson never settled his 2010 campaign finance reports until April 2014.

His last 2010 filing showed a balance of $23,771 and none of that money was carried over or reported how it was spent until April 30, 2014.

Jackson missed the 2010 mayoral runoff election by three votes.

He previously explained the reason for the oversight was that he was “despondent” after losing.

But even after winning the 2014 mayoral race, Jackson has not submitted mandatory campaign finance reports for eight quarters, according to information on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission website. His last quarterly filing was submitted on Oct. 15, 2014, showing a closing balance of $5,208.

About the Author

Originally from Webster, N.Y., David has been a reporter in N.J. for the past three years (first in Phillipsburg and now in Trenton).He is a Temple alum who interned at the Philadelphia Daily News. Reach the author at dfoster@trentonian.com
.